Shelly (Michelle) Jenkins is an information officer in the Wastewater and Onsite Programs Division. She works closely with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) to coordinate wastewater and Title 5 certification.
Q: Have you always worked in wastewater?
Shelly: Here, yes, but not always. Prior to NEIWPCC I assisted professors at MIT, was a legal secretary in Boston and served as an executive assistant for entrepreneurs. I came here as an administrative assistant in 2003 and worked my way up. I joined the Wastewater Division in 2019, where I work on all aspects of wastewater certification and renewals.
Q: What initially drew you to NEIWPCC?
Shelly: We have a family home in Buzzards Bay (Cape Cod, Massachusetts), and there was an oil spill. You could see oil all over our beach, and I was so upset. I saw a job advertisement for NEIWPCC and read about how they work against water pollution, and thought, “Oh, that’s a sign!”
Q: What was your transition from where you began at NEIWPCC to where you are now?
Shelly: I’m a very hands-on person, and like to learn, so I paid attention to what people were saying in wastewater training classes and took more ownership of the work we put through the office. I slowly muscled my way into more responsibility and eventually was promoted from administrative assistant to information officer for wastewater. Even if I won the lottery, I’d never leave here. I love these wastewater operators.
Q: Which of your contributions or projects have you enjoyed the most?
Shelly: I love the creative stuff, and NEIWPCC gives me the freedom to be creative in my role. I took a class on being a trainer and there was a section on how people learn and process information; how you can’t just talk at a person and expect them to learn. I developed crossword puzzles and word searches about the content so whoever I’m training can take a break, but still be learning. I also do a lot of drawing and digital illustrations, so I work those into presentations. I enjoy trying to incorporate all learning styles in creative ways in my trainings.
Q: What is something important you have learned from being at NEIWPCC?
Shelly: Even though it sounds crazy, I’ve learned how important water is. There are areas of the United States where there isn’t access to clean water for drinking or even showering, and I’ve talked to some people in the southwest who drive many miles for clean water. This is the United States, in 2022, and it’s unacceptable. I never would have realized this if I didn’t work in the water industry.
Q: What is your favorite part of being at NEIWPCC?
Shelly: The people you get to meet. I regularly interact with folks working hard on the front line in wastewater. I also meet people from other areas of the country who work in wastewater but have a completely different set of issues that we don’t experience in the Northeast, which is really interesting. I meet people high up in government positions, and that’s exciting. I remember mailing things out to senators, so I would literally send a letter to Hillary Clinton. How cool is that? Plus, everyone here is like family; granted I’ve been here 18 years, so I see it that way.
Q: What is your favorite outdoor activity?
Shelly: I am not a huge fan of being outdoors, but I guess you could say lying in a hammock is my favorite outdoor activity. I don’t understand how people camp outside… what about bears?!
Q: Tell me a fun fact about yourself!
Shelly: I am super into genealogy. I originally got into it to see what side of the Revolutionary War my family was on – would I have been brave enough to take on England – it was a tremendous risk! I have gone back 28 generations in my family to the year 1066, the Battle of Hastings.